27/08/2014 North West Tonight

again. Something to look forward to. That is all from the BBC News

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson, and Annabel Tiffin.

The legacy of grooming scandals here, as Lancashire Police tell us

they're receiving 25 calls ` week from potential abuse victims.

We'll ask the Ramadan Found`tion what efforts have been made stop

Keeping Merseyside on track. New stations and better services as a 30

year plan is revealed. We are in Liverpool at the National thssue

bank is a new documentary focuses on the young people who do vit`l work

here. The Dutchman's reign at Manchester

United reaches a new low. Why the North West is getting

a reputation Lancashire Police are receiving

an average of around 25 referrals a week

about concerns over child sdxual The number, more than 1,200

in the last year, follows yesterday's report into mord than

a decade of abuse in Rotherham. Meanwhile, it's also emerged this

afternoon that the current Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council

was in charge of Rotherham `t the time a report into the scandal

was suppressed and the rese`rcher The scandal on the other side

of the Pennines has echoes of past problems here in thd

North West, but organisations here Yesterday's report follows

a series of high profile cases here The biggest was the sentenchng two

years ago of nine men for a total of 77 years for grooming vulnerable

girls in Rochdale. The men trafficked girls to towns

including Oldham and Nelson, and there have also been cases

in Burnley and Blackpool. Councils, police and other `gencies

are now co`ordinating closely on projects like Sunrise in Rochdale,

Phoenix across Greater Manchester, The Stockport MP, Ann Coffex, is

chairing an inquiry into how child sexual exploitation can be better

prevented across Greater Manchester. This small charity

in Oldham works with young girls They agree a lot

of progress has been made, One of the barriers we have had to

overcome is the stigma attached to sign `` child sexual exploitation.

Modi wants to have that problem All young people by virtue of their age

have no relationship experidnce And they need that support and guidance

and education. The Rotherham report highlighted a

reluctance to engage the Pakistani Here in the north west, Polhce have

been talking to key industrhes like taxi firms and takeawax owners

raise awareness of the issud. Again, the feeling among calpaigners

is that things are much improved. Community groups, faith grotps,

youth groups, schools, everxbody has a part to play in this. And we all

need to be more vigilant and take our duty and care seriously, which I

don't doubt people do. Meanwhile, it's now emerged that a

former chief executive of Rotherham borough council during the cover`up

of child sexual exploitation is the current chief executive of Liverpool

City Council, Ged Fitzgerald. It's understood that Mr Fitzgerald

is on holiday, and no one from With us

in the studio now is Mohammdd Shafiq Thank you for coming in. We have

heard progress has been madd in Rochdale. What is your view? I

always believed that Rochdale was a catalyst for change. The molent when

people woke up to the reality of these crimes, I have been speaking

out since 2007, and I was accused of doing the work of the far rhght but

now we know this has gone on. The systems and institutions th`t were

there to protect children h`d failed. And all of those with

responsibility should resign which is why I think the Chief Exdcutive

of Liverpool City Council should consider his position as well. There

was also the issue of racisl brought up in the Rotherham report which

also raised its head in Rochdale as one of the reasons that the abuse

wasn't exposed earlier. Do xou think there's still a problem now in

institutions? No, I don't. @s you referred to it in the report, there

is a number of instances whdre the council and the police in

partnership have worked togdther in Rochdale, running awareness sessions

in child sexual exploitation is There are activities going on in

schools for teenage children. So the lessons are being learned, `nd there

is more partnership with thd projects. We are never complacent,

we must do more, but there hs an element that thinks that whhte girls

are worthless. This is the same position since 2007. Becausd they

are white, they are able to use them. So, there are still pdople

with those thoughts and atthtudes in Rochdale? Yes. So, is there any

abuse at the moment? There `re some investigation is ongoing in

Manchester. We will have to see what happens there.

Now, to a 30 year plan that'll avoid massive overcrowding on Merseyside's

trains and bring huge econolic benefits to the whole region.

Mersey travel has published proposals that could mean more

stations, modern trains and better services

for commuters in Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashird.

They could be given the gredn light as early as next month.

Another busy day on Liverpool's underground.

And it's only going to get busier according to Merseytravel,

which oversees Merseyside's public transport.

By 2043, if we did nothing, most of our network would be over 160% over

capacity, so we are talking hundreds of thousands of extra passengers.

There are 12 main points to Merseytravel's 30 year plan.

Amongst them, a new station serving the centre of Liverpool,

As the growth is increasing, anything that persuades people to

use public transport rather than car is very good. I think it will bring

a lot of investment. We need that. With the prospect of high speed rail

arriving in the region, Merseytravel wants to electrify rail

routes between Merseyside It also wants to extend Merseyrail

services to John Lennon Airport And build entirely new stathons

at point across the network, It is home to 40,000 people but it

is connected to the railway network. Under the new proposals, it would

get railway station. Long overdue, according to some. It could do with

one. It is mayhem if you want to go anywhere. Because the popul`tion has

grown so much, there is too much transport on the road. I wanted

Everybody wants it. West Lancashire Borogh Council's

already on board. It is the second`biggest town that

doesn't have a railway stathon and is essential to the prosperhty and

The 30 year plan prosperity and future prosperity of the town. goes

Combined Authority on the 18th of next month.

An inquest has heard an eight`year`old boy from Oldham

died from an asthma attack after a 999 call was wronglx

categorised by an operator `t the North West Ambulance Service.

Clayton Barker began struggling for breath at his grandmothdr's

But the 999 call operator thought the emergency was less serious

than it was, so the next wahting ambulance was sent elsewherd.

A murder investigation's been launched in Heywood.

A woman, believed to be in her 0s, was found dead at a propertx

Her body's believed to have been there for more than a month.

A three`year`old boy's been found riding, alone,

It's thought the toddler may have travelled

from Droylsden, almost five miles, away after apparently getting onto

The child's mother is due to be spoken to by the police

The Westmorland and Lonsdald MP Tim Farron is calling for an independent

review into the regional fire control centre at Warrington.

He's described it as a "white elephant" after reports a

crew from Carlisle was calldd out to a fire near Bolton.

But the Fire Service says no engine was ever sent, and the

Salford's Mayor says he has no regrets about committing more than

?160,000 to help a rugby cltb while making huge budget cuts.

And Ian Stewart has defended his decision to fast track `

redundancy payment for the council official who brokered the ddal.

That officer then went on to work for the club.

Councillors have today been considering an auditor's report

which concluded the Mayor dhd nothing wrong, but recommended

changes to the rules governhng pay offs for top officials.

Our Chief Reporter, Dave Gudst, has the story.

Martin Vickers was the council officer who drew up a deal to help

It involved the authority agreeing to mdet

the club's match day costs tp to a total of ?164,000 for 2013/14

Salford's Mayor Ian Stewart sanctioned the deal.

The Mayor also agreed that Mr Vickers could take voluntary

redundancy from the council weeks later.

Mr Vickers then went to work for the rugby club.

Councillors today endorsed a report which recommended

tightening the rules governhng pay outs to top officials.

The mayor says that he didn't know Mr Vickers was going to work for the

red Devils. The lack of a formal record of

the rugby club deal was described as a failing, but the report concluded

the Mayor had done nothing wrong. The system allows the electdd mayor

to make the decision. That hs correct. I gave strong leaddrship,

and made, in my view, the rhght decision. So why do is you decide to

commit so much money to a rtgby club at a time when your council is

making widespread cuts? The money is used for investment in the rugby

club and the rugby stadium `re actually capital money. You cannot

use capital money for front line services.

Salford Council part owns the stadium where the Red Devils play.

The Mayor says securing the future for their main tdnants

Turning to the severance de`l, Mr Vickers applied for it, and the

money was there in his accotnt within a couple of days. If

unemployed has extenuating circumstances, they can apply to

receive their money early. So if it was a dinner lady or a bin lan. .

Exactly the same. Do you regret any decisions you've made? I believe I

gave strong, sound leadershhp, I'd do the same again, and I will

continue to do so for as long as I am in this post.

I am not shocked. Is Manchester United's manager the only one not

taken aback by their latest humiliation? The north`west is now

home not only to the best rdstaurant in the country but also this place,

the best pub. I'll find out what makes the region such a draw when it

comes to drinking and dining. Is that not the best job of thd night?

I wouldn't mind spending my time in the pub. But you would rathdr be

here doing the sport. Manchester United fans will be

wondering just what happened And it does leave you scratching

your head at just how a League One team put together

for less than half a million pounds That's less than two weeks wages

for Wayne Rooney and when you think that, United have just splashed out

?59.7 million on Angel Di M`ria it Having said that the Capitol One Cup

isn't a priority for United and it was far

from their first choice lind`up But it was still a team with several

established internationals on show. And it may well have left ndw boss

Louis Van Gaal with Louis van Gaal,

one of football's note`takers, will have had some rather unpleasant

bedtime reading last night. If his Manchester United nedded

a wake`up call, surely this was it. But it is only the start

of the season. For such a young squad out hn pretty

much a major cup, it's disgraceful. Van Gaal put up a couple

of youngsters but his starting line`up also

contained five players with over 100 One of them, Jonny Evans,

gifted the opener. The second also came from United

giving the ball away. This excellent improvised fhnished

giving David de Gea no chance. MK Dons took further advant`ge of

United mistakes to score a third. We have made the biggest errors

in building up situations. And when we do that,

you give always... A performance that will not

have impressed new star He has, though,

been impressed by United's fans I'm very happy with the fans

from Manchester United and I have received many messages,

particular my wife. His arrival takes United's transfer

spending in 2014 to around ?170 And on last night's showing,

his signing is unlikely to be Plenty for Louis Van Gaal to think

about after a less than impressive Now if you're a United fan,

you'll probably know it's Red Wednesday on BBC Radio

Manchester with former striker I caught up with him just

before he went on air and asked him first of all how long the rdbuilding

process is likely to take? It won't take a season, it light

take a year, maybe more. It has happened where he has been before.

He has had to get his way of playing into the players. And... I lean he

knows what he wants, but it is just getting the players to actu`lly do

what he wants. You think he has been shocked by the depth of the problems

he has to solve? I think he might be because, you know, the squad, I

think... Needed bolstering. We knew that from after last season. They've

done that. I don't think thdy can have a go at the glaziers to say

they haven't spent the monex because they have, especially with ` Geordie

Maria coming in. So now it hs about the coach getting one or two more

in. That is what he would love to do before the transfer window closes.

And then moulding those plaxers into the players we have got. Whdn you

look at the problem is eviddnt in the team, how much does that

exonerate David Moyes? It illustrates the problems were there

before David Moyes came in. The hierarchy didn't think he w`s going

to get the chance to change that around. They thought the signs were

bad. Unfortunately, they felt that David had to be fired. How luch do

you think the signing of Angel di Maria could be a spark for the whole

season? He is a magnificent player with pace, he can cross the ball, he

can get shots around, and hd has a range of passing as well. I think he

will be a very big player. In the other Capital One Cup

matches, it was also a bad night for our

other Premier League team Btrnley who lost at home to Championship

side Sheffield Wednesday. Preston were knocked out

by Middlesborough. But it took extra time

and two goals from Jermain Beckford With the score at 1`1, Beckford

thought he'd volleyed in thd winner in the 98th minute but seconds later

Marcus Haber made in 2`2 to send Beckford finally scrambled

in the winner for a 3`2 win. And you can see highlights

of those matches on the Football Samuel Eto'o will give Everton

an unpredictable "fear factor" according to lanager

Roberto Martinez. The 33`year`old Cameroon striker,

who was a free agent after being released by Chelsea

has signed a two`year contr`ct with Martinez could hand Eto'o hhs debut

against his former club on Saturday. When you see him in the teal as

opposing manager, you know he is unpredictable, the unpredictable

play he has, that fear factor that you want. It is an interesthng

thing. Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish got

his first win since dislocating his shoulder during a crash in Harrogate

during the Tour de France. The 29`year`old completed the 1 2

kilometre stage one of the Tour de Poitou`Charentes through La Ronde

in France with a sprint finhsh. It was his 10th victory

of the season. And there is a silver lining

for one Manchester United f`n. Holly Griffiths from Cheshire got

a free bet with a bookie and thought she'd put ?2.50 on the

Reds to win 4`0 against MK Dons But it seems she filled

in the form incorrectly and had With odds of 500 to one,

she pocketed ?1,250. Congratulations to her! One I make a

mistake, it costs me money. That will have sweetened it for her.

Thank you. We We often hear

about people waiting for vital organ transplants, but a new TV programme

filmed on Merseyside is hophng to show viewers that you're far more

likely to be able to help someone It follows the team of men

and women who work at the It's not something people often want

to think about, but the two`part series shows how donations of skin

and bone from the dead are crucial The Human Tissue Squad follows

a group of ordinary young pdople from Merseyside,

who play an extraordinary role often skin is one of the most in

demand tissues the team takd... It shows the demanding work done

by the team based in Speke, and the camararderie needed to get through

the emotional challenges it creates. Standing in a more jury at 2am, when

it is not actually for the greater good, you wouldn't want to do it,

the motivation wouldn't be there, so I still get that massive sense of

achievement after every retrieval. The team hope this will makd more

people aware that by agreeing to donate tissud

after death, one person can help or This is the only tissue bank in

the UK that's involved in the whole process, from initial donor referral

through to the hospitals who use it It'll be something that thehr

parents can consent to when they have passed away. It will bd

referred to the centre, and then I will go out and coordinates the

donation, so physically removing the tissue from that patient so it can

be shipped out as a graft. We will try to get some donated skin.

The programme also features some of those whose lives are ch`nged

I hope it escalates tissue donations to the wider public and givds them

more information because thd idea is the information is out therd for

them to make their own choices, and hopefully make an informed choice of

whether or not they want to become a donor in the future.

The programme will be broadcast on BBC Three next Monday at 9pm

Just occasionally, we get a bit of a jealous pang for our colleagues who

get to do something really good The second year running, the Northwest

is officially home to the bdst restaurant in the country and mouth

for the first time, the best pub as well. L'Enclume has taken the

restaurant prize and our reporter is it was well. What are they serving

up in the pub tonight? Welcome to the Freemasons, the best

pub in the country officially according to the good food guide.

This isn't any place getting accolades because the best

restaurant in the country is Simon Rogan's place in Cumbria. That is

where I have spent the day finding out what the secret is to their

success. There is a noticeable lack of

swearing in the kitchen at L'Enclume. It is calm. Everxthing is

precise. And, for the second year in a row, it is the best restatrant in

Britain. Is there still that stereotype that all you get in the

North as pies and if you want good food you've got to go to London It

can be at times. I think, though, that there is so many good

restaurants in the area, in Cumbria itself, and food producers, that is

on the decline now. I think, hopefully, we have shrugged that

off. With the award is stacking up, it's not just the restaurant itself

feeling the benefits. Locals will tell you that they now have their

own micro`economy, key to bringing in visitors. We have a brewdry,

bread shop, wine shop, cheese shop. And all of that is something else.

And it is brilliant. The village is getting a reputation for behng a

foodie place. And people ardn't only buying food while they are here

Steve set up shop a long daxs `` set up a shop a Kopelev shops down from

L'Enclume because of the tr`de. The clientele are the kind that will

spend the money. They get a nice restaurant experience and then they

come here. People come, people eat, and people people spend. Thhs is the

go`to place for good food and fine dining.

That is the restaurant side of things. After the eating coles the

drinking and so we find ourselves at the bar. This is Steven Smith who

owns the Freemasons. You must be so pleased to be the best pub hn the

country. Over the moon, supdrb. What's the secret of your stccess?

You took it over five years ago how have you made it work? Take each day

as it comes, being personable, never let things be too much trouble for

our customers. If we can do it, we will do it for you. And makhng sure

that we keep the pub in it. People were saying that has become an area

known for local produce and good food, is it the same thing here It

is similar. The Northwest, `cross the board, produce is fantastic The

Ribble Valley has a fantasthc reputation already, which m`kes it

easier for us to start up and hopefully, enhance that repttation.

Some people might think the guide is a bit elitist, the places are

expensive, is that your takd on it? Definitely not. I mean, obvhously,

we have three courses for ?05, fantastic value for money. @nd there

is something for everybody there. Thank you very much, and

congratulations. Now my work is over and so I will leave you to think on

that. I wonder what she's going to do The

Northwest is the best place to eat, than! Except for my microwave meal

tonight. Weather`wise today, it was just

lovely. Tomorrow, a day of two halves, staying dry, but thd

rain`bob will turn up in thd afternoon. Tonight, a band of

rain`bob to the south`west of us. And then it pushes its way hn. Once

the sun comes in, by midnight you will see it. You will see it as it

rises over the high ground with heavy burst of rain from tile to

time. There's a few good thhngs about it, the cloud cover associated

with it keeps the temperatures up. The other good news is it is a

fairly narrow band. Tomorrow, temperatures, 13, 14, 15, and the

morning isn't too bad. That rain and drizzle might continue for the first

hours but through the morning on a brighter and drier skies. Don't be

full sway you set out thinkhng that weather will last all day bdcause

that is the next line of rahn, moving in after lunch. It moves

across the region, falling `part in many places, so not everywhdre will

be wet. By tea`time, brightdr skies. Temperatures, around 19. It doesn't

feel too bad. There will be arraigned sandwich, we

could put that on the menu! `` there will be a rain sandwich.

You asked for it. You got it. SHRILL WHISTLE

I promise not to take off all my clothes.

I'm going up in the world, babes, and from today,

one can't sack someone for going, "Bleuh-huh-huh-huh"

I'm going to teach you a lesson, Churchy.

Where's your shoe? It's in the car. I'll get it later.

Big School returns for a new term. Oh, ha-ha-ha-ha!

Old friends John Thomson and Simon Day

are swapping comedy for Argentina and the gaucho life...

I AM going to moisturise. It will be secret.

..where men are men, and the cows aren't laughing.

You won't see gauchos sitting down watching...